Freshman Orientation FAQ

Is orientation mandatory?

Yes. The only way to register for classes is to fulfill your orientation requirement.

How do I complete Freshman Orientation?

To satisfy your orientation requirement, you must complete the Freshman Pre-Orientation Online Module in eLearning with a score of 100%, and you must register for and attend an orientation session on the date of your choosing. If you are unable to attend one of the available dates, you can satisfy your orientation requirement in a virtual format in mid-July 2024.

How much does orientation cost?

The orientation fee for students is $75. The fee for each family member is $30. Registration and payment are accepted online.

What is the refund/cancellation policy?

Refunds will be given for cancellations requested prior to the first Wednesday in May.

Can I modify my orientation registration?  

Yes. You can switch sessions, add the overnight option, and add guests by modifying your order in Orion and paying the applicable fees. You cannot modify the overnight option within two weeks of your orientation session, you cannot add guests or switch sessions within two business days of your orientation session.

What if the session I want is not available?  

When a session reaches capacity it will no longer appear in the system. However, as students move sessions or cancel, seats will become available automatically. To see if a seat for your desired session has become available, attempt to modify your orientation session in Orion. A $20 non-refundable processing/administrative fee will apply if you switch into a different session.

Does my family need to attend?  

Parents and family are encouraged to attend with their student. It is $30 per guest to attend orientation. Students may add up to three family members during the Freshman Orientation Registration process. Family members must be registered to attend orientation with their student. If you are already registered to attend a Freshman Orientation and would like to add family members to your registration, you may modify your order in Orion.

What do I need to do before Freshman Orientation? 

Before Freshman Orientation, you must resolve any outstanding items on your To Do List or holds for residency, required vaccinations (including meningitis), or other required documents. For detailed information about remaining To Do Items or Holds on your account, check your Student Center by logging into the Galaxy Portal and following the links to Orion. Most To Do Items will not prevent you from registering for classes, but holds on your student account can. Aim to have holds cleared a week prior to Freshman Orientation.

Students that are registered to attend orientation will be sent an email regarding items to complete prior to attending orientation including placement tests, and the Freshman Pre-Orientation Online Module. All correspondence will be sent to your UT Dallas student email address. To log in to your UT Dallas email please set up your NetID. If you are unable to access your email account you may contact the Help Desk.

What is the agenda? 

An email regarding the details of Freshman Orientation will be sent to your UT Dallas student email address once you register to attend. To log in to your UT Dallas email please set up your NetID. If you are unable to access your email account you may contact the Help Desk.

The first day of your orientation session will begin at 9:30 a.m. You will hear from University administrators and students regarding what to expect from UT Dallas and hear important information regarding class registration. The first day concludes by 5:30 p.m. Students who have registered for an overnight stay will be able to check in at this time. The beginning of the second day will vary depending on your assigned advising time, but will conclude before 6 p.m. 

What do I need to bring? 

Bring a copy of your test scores (such as AP, IB, CLEP) and transcripts with you, if possible. Scores are posted in early July. For those attending the June orientation sessions, be sure to bring a list of all the tests you have completed. Since every student’s situation is different your academic advisor will help you determine your fall schedule based on the exams you have taken. Most incoming freshmen will also need to complete the ALEKS exam prior to orientation. Visit the ALEKS website for more information on the ALEKS Math Placement Exam.

Where can I stay during orientation? 

Students and family members are encouraged to stay overnight on campus for orientation sessions. You may add the overnight option during the Freshman Orientation registration process. The overnight option can also be added later by modifying your orientation registration in Orion. Please note, you cannot modify the overnight option in your registration within two (2) weeks of your orientation. Several hotels near UT Dallas offer overnight accommodation as well.

Who may stay overnight on campus? 

The Orientation Overnight option is designed for both out-of-town and local students and families who are attending Freshman Orientation. Students and family members that are registered for orientation may stay on campus overnight. There are also several hotels near UT Dallas that offer overnight accommodations.

What is the cost? 

The cost for a student to stay overnight is $45. The cost for a family to stay overnight is $120. The family will have a three-bedroom suite where family member(s) and the student may stay. The maximum occupancy for a family suite is three people.

Will I lose my overnight option if I switch sessions within two weeks of my orientation? 

Yes. The Overnight Option closes two weeks prior to each session. If you are signed up to stay overnight at Freshman Orientation, and decide to switch into a session that is within the next two weeks, you will forfeit your overnight option without a refund.

For how many nights is lodging available? 

Accommodations are for one night, between day one and day two of orientation.

What should I bring if I am staying overnight? 

Bring toiletries, towels, bedding (sleeping bag, pillow), and a change of clothes. The beds are XL twin.

Will students be sharing rooms? 

Every student will have his or her own bedroom in a three-bedroom suite with a common living room and sink area. There are private toilet and shower areas in each suite, and each suite is all male or all female.

Families staying overnight will have an entire three-bedroom suite in a residence hall. This suite will have a common area, a shared bathroom with separate shower and toilet, and three bedrooms each with a twin bed. The maximum occupancy for a family suite is three people.

What are the times for checking in and out of the Residence Hall? 

Check-in for the overnight option will begin at 6:30 p.m., at the conclusion of the first day of programming. Check-out will be between 7-9 a.m. on Day Two of orientation. The Dining Hall will open for breakfast at 7 a.m.

Orientation Leaders will provide social activities in the residence hall that evening.

Will the students be supervised? 

Orientation Leaders will be staying with our new students in the Residence Hall, but all students staying overnight are responsible for themselves and must abide by the UT Dallas Student Code of Conduct.

What will students staying overnight do in the evening? 

Orientation Leaders will provide social activities in the residence hall that evening.

Does my family need to attend?  

Parents and family are encouraged to attend with their student. It is $30 per guest to attend orientation and students may add up to three family members during the Freshman Orientation Registration process.

Family members participating in orientation must be registered to attend orientation with their student. If you are already registered to attend a Freshman Orientation and would like to add family members to your registration, you may modify your order in Orion.

What programs are offered for family members? 

Programs are offered for both students and family concurrently. Special programs are offered for family members while students meet with their advisors and register for classes. Programs include presentations from the Dean of Students, Chief of Police, the Student Success Center, and a student panel.

Family members will also have the opportunity to meet with University administrators and ask questions during the afternoon on Day One of Freshman Orientation.

Can my family stay on campus at Freshman Orientation? 

Yes, your family can stay on campus during our in-person Freshman orientation sessions by adding the overnight option to your registration in Orion. Families staying overnight will have a three-bedroom suite in a residence hall. The maximum occupancy for a family suite is three people. 

What level of involvement can my family have? 

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is Federal legislation designed to protect the privacy of your education records. Students can grant their parents/legal guardians access to their student records by completing the Parents Certification of Dependency form found through the Office of the Registrar Resources Page. If you have questions regarding FERPA, please contact the Office of the Registrar at 972-883-2342.

When can I meet with an advisor? 

You will have a scheduled appointment with your academic advisor on the second day of Freshman Orientation if you have attended all of the programming on the first day.

How do I register for classes if I am unable to attend orientation? 

If you are unable to attend one of the available dates, you can satisfy your orientation requirement in a virtual format beginning in July, and information about registering for these sessions will be posted on our website after all in-person sessions have concluded.

After satisfying your orientation requirement, you will need to schedule an appointment with your academic advisor.

Can I change my intended major? 

You will register for Freshman Orientation under your admitted major. If you intend to have a different major, please contact the Academic Advisor from the major you desire.

What will prevent me from registering for classes? 

All incoming students are required to meet with an Academic Advisor to register for classes. You also may have holds on your student account that will prevent you from registering for classes, and these can take several business days to resolve. Please try to have all holds removed one week prior to attending Freshman Orientation.

To view a list of your holds check your student account in Galaxy. You can find a list of common holds incoming freshmen may have on their student account in the section below.

The Final High School Transcript is a To Do List Item, this will not prevent you from registering for classes at Freshman Orientation.

TSI

The Texas Success Initiative, if you are a student with a TSI hold on your account please review the UT Dallas TSI webpage for more information.

Cannot Register Online

This hold will be discussed with your academic advisor when you register for fall classes and be removed at that time.

Bacterial Meningitis

This hold is managed by the Office of the Registrar. You must submit a completed Meningococcal Meningitis Vaccine Form, and Proof of Immunization. Contact records@utdallas.edu with any questions.

Tuition Plan Consent

This hold is managed by the Office of the Bursar. It is assigned to all students upon admission, and will not prevent you from registering for classes.

All new incoming students will have the opportunity to choose from two rate plans: the guaranteed tuition plan and the variable tuition plan. New incoming students will be defaulted into the variable tuition rate plan, but will have the option to enroll in the guaranteed tuition rate plan. Contact bursar@utdallas.eduwith any questions.

TB Test

TB Screening is required for all persons born outside of the United States. You can contact the Student Health Center to schedule a Tuberculosis Screening. This hold can take several days to resolve, please do so as soon as possible.

International Hold

All F-1 and J-1 students have this hold. Contact ICPrograms@utdallas.edu if you have more questions about the International Student Orientation hold.

To Do List Items (Final High School Transcript)

To Do List Items, such as the Final High School Transcript, will not prevent you from registering for classes at Freshman Orientation.

In some cases, items on your To Do List may also have an associated hold. Holds can prevent you from registering for classes. Holds can take several business days to resolve. Aim to have all holds removed one week prior to attending Freshman Orientation.

How do I get to UT Dallas?

See directions to UT Dallas. For a detailed map of campus, see the campus map. A UT Dallas parking pass will be sent to you in a confirmation email after you have registered for orientation. Please print the parking pass, and place it on your dash when you arrive on campus for orientation. Parking policies are enforced year-round, and you must park in the lot and color space designated on your parking pass.

How can I update my preferred name?

The University recognizes that many community members use names other than their primary/legal names to identify themselves. To find out more information about updating your preferred name visit the Registrar FAQ page, or email records@utdallas.edu. Learn more about the Office of the Registrar.

How can I apply for financial aid?

The primary way to apply for financial aid is to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). View a slideshow (pdf) covering frequently asked questions. Visit the Applying for Financial Aid webpage or contact the Financial Aid Office financial-aid@utdallas.edu for questions regarding financial aid.

How can I pay tuition?

The Bursars Office is responsible for billing and payments of tuition and fees. A slideshow of information covering frequently asked questions can be found here. Contact the Bursars Office at bursar@utdallas.edu for questions regarding tuition and fees.

How can I apply for a UT Dallas scholarship?

All entering freshmen are considered for scholarships, but you must have applied and been accepted to the University to be eligible. The Financial Aid Office has a list of available scholarships at UT Dallas.

I want to live on campus, how do I apply?

Visit the University Housing website for details. Contact Residential Life for information about living on campus. Eligibility for campus housing is tied to admission and enrollment, so apply early. All freshmen who choose to live on campus are required to live in the residence halls.

Where can I find information about International Student Orientation?

International Student Orientation is hosted by Intercultural Programs. If you are an incoming freshman student and an international student you can attend either Freshman Orientation or International Student Orientation to fulfill your orientation requirement. Contact ICPrograms@utdallas.edu if you have questions about the International Student Orientation.